Germany and Italy sweat on Schweinsteiger and De Rossi fitness

KIEV, UKRAINE – JUNE 24: Daniele De Rossi of Italy reacts after a chance on goal during the UEFA EURO 2012 quarter final match between England and Italy at The Olympic Stadium on June 24, 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Germany and Italy are waiting for fitness reports on midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Daniel De Rossi respectively. The two teams are set to face each other in the semifinal of Euro 2012 and are hoping their star performers regain fitness.

Schweinsteiger has started all four of Germany’s games at Euro 2012 so far, despite a nagging ankle injury sustained in February and admitted having pain in his ankle on Sunday. He resumed training on Monday afternoon and goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke said he expects the midfielder to play against Italy in Warsaw. Koepke said:

“He does have a minor problem with his ankle. He did not train for two days and treated it intensively. Today, however, he is expected to return to training and should be ready to play on Thursday.”

Meanwhile, Italy coach Cesare Prandelli is anxious about De Rossi’s fitness, who has started both in defense and in midfield for the Azzurris thus far in the tournament. The 28-year-old AS Roma player limped off the field in the quarter final match against England and was set to undergo tests on Monday. He, however, was all praise for Andrea Pirlo whose performances have been extraordinary in the tournament thus far. On being probed about his injury, De Rossi said:

“Pirlo’s crazy shot reminded me of Francesco Totti, who performed the same strike 12 years ago.

“I was disappointed at the injury and hope to recover for the semi-final. I had a sciatica problem for the past few days, but ice and painkillers don’t do much. When it’s the sciatic nerve, you can’t run or change pace.”